Vacuum wall receptacle



1,636,322 July 9, 1927- w. c. O'LEARY VACUUM WALL RECEPTACLE Filed Au28, 1924 o o o NVENTOR.

. ATTORNEY;

Patented July 19, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM CvoLEAnY, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR 01! ONE-I'OUBTH TO JOSEPH R. PUMPHREY AND ONE-EIGHTH TO LUCIEN GEORGE BERRY,BOTH OI WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

VACUUM WALL V RECEPTACLE.

Application filed August 28, 1824. Serial No. 734,705.

This invention relates to vacuum wall receptacles of that type includingan open top body portion and a cover therefor, and has for its object toprovide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a body portion, as wellas a cover of the receptacle, with a vacuum space closed by a sealingstrip of low conductivity and of minute thinness whereby when the stripcarried by the cover is positioned against the strip carried by the odyportion a substantially continuous vacuum space-is provided throughoutthe cover and body portion.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, a vacuum wall receptacle, which is simple in itsconstruction and arrangement, durable, thoroughly efiicient andconvenient in its use, readi y set up, and comparatively inexpensive.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists ofthe novel construction, combination and arran ement of parts, ashereinafter more speci cally described and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the mvention,but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modificationscan be resorted to which come within the 80 scope of the claims hereuntoappended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote correspondingparts throughout the several views Figure l is a vertical sectional viewof a 85 vacuum wall receptacle in accordance'with this invention.

Figure 2 is a section on line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view, in vertical section, illustrating amodified form .of edge insulation for the contacting ends of the vacuumchambers.

Figures 4 and 5 are fragmentary views in perspective, respectively, ofpreferred and modified forms of edge insulation of sealing members.

Referring to the drawings in detaiI,'1 denotes a base, upon which issuppo housing, referred to generall by the reference character 2 and inwhic are arranged two sets of air cooling coils and refrigerating agentsemployed for cooling the air as it travels through each set of coils.

The housing comprises side walls 3, 4;, a frontwall 5, a rear wall 6,and a bottom 7. The walls 3 to 6 and bottom 7 are formed of sheet metalof substantial height and suitably connected together. The side walls 3,4, are of less width than the length of the walls 5, 6. When the walls 3to 6 and bottom 7 are secured together, they provide a housing orreceptacle of rectangular 'contour.

. Arran ed within the housing 2 is a pair of space metallic tanks 8, 9,and said tanks are not only spaced from each other a substantialdistance, but also a substantial distance from the bottom and walls ofthe housing 2. The tank 8 is rectangular in contour and extendslengthwise with respect to the width of the housing 2. The tank 9 issquare in contour and of reater size than the tank 8. The tanks 8 and 9are of the same height, oppose each other, and arranged between theopposed walls of the tanks is a spacing element 10, in the form ofgrating. Interposed between the bottoms of the tanks 8, 9 and the bottom7 is a combined supporting and spacing element 11, in the form of agrating, for the tanks. Interposed between the tank 8 and the side wall4 is a spacing element 12, in the form of a grating. Interposed betweenthe tank 9 and the side wall 3 of the housing is a spacing element 13,in the form of a grating. Interposed between the tanks 8, 9 and thefront wall 5 of the housing 2, is a spacing element 14, in the form of agrating, and mterposed between the rear wall 6 of the housing 2 and thetanks 8, 9, is a spacing element 15, in the form of a grating.

The elements 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 are constructed in the same manner,and each consists of intersectin oppositely extending flat bars ofsubstantia wi th and thickness. The oppositely extending bars whichprovide each spacing element are provided with openings 20.

The tanks 8, 9, in connection with the housing 2 provide a vacuum spaceand the spacin elements act as bracing means for t e wa is of suchspace. The openings 20 formed in the oppositely extending bars of eachspacing element establish communication between the spaces formed bysaid bars in connection with the tanks and walls of the housing.

.A normally closed valvular element 21 is connected to the wall 3 and tosaid element 21 can be attached a pump, as indicated at 22 for creatinga vacuum in the closed spaces formed by the housing, tanks and t1Secured within the tank 2, a su stantial distance above the bottomthereof, is a support 23, upon which is mounted a foraminous partition24, and said support 23 and partition 24 provide the tank with an uppzrrefrigerant chamber 25 and a lower cham r 26 for the reception of arefri rant and two sets of air cooling coils. e refrigerant mounted inthe chamber 25 is indicated at 27, and is in the form of a block of ice.The refrigerant arran ed within the chamber 26 is in the form 0% shavedice and salt and which is indicated at 28. a

The sets of cooling coils, which are arranged in the chamber 26, areindicated at 29, 30, and are completely enveloped by the refrigerant 28.

Secured to the bottom of the tank 1, is a pair of suspension devices forthe coolin coils. The suspension devices are indicate at 31 and onesuspends the set of coils 29 and the other the set of coils 30 withinthe chamber 26.

Arranged within the chamber 26, at a point in proximity to the su port23, is an air conducting pipe 33, whici has one end communicating withthe upper coil of the set of coils 29, as at 34, and its other endconnected to the upper coil of the set of coils 30, as at 35. Extendingthrough the rear wall 6 and opening into a T-coupling 36 attached to thepipe 33, is an air supply pipe 37, having its outer end provided with anair filter 38. The air to be cooled is first assed through the filter 38and then sup lies to the sets of coils through' tlie me ium of the pipes33 and 37. The filter 38 opens into the atmosphere and can be of anysuitable construction. The pipe 37 not only extends through the wall 6of the housing 2, but also through the spacing element 15 and through anend wall of the tank 8 and into the chamber 26. Suitable means isprovided to set up an air tight joint for the pipe 37 between thehousing 2 and tank 8.

Arranged within the tank 9, a substantial distance above the bottomthereof, is a support 39 carrying a foraminous partition 40,

a hinged which divides the tank 6 into an upper storage chamber 41 and alower cold air receiving chamber 42. The chamber 41 is ada ted toreceive articles of food, and the col air supplied to the chamber 42acts as a reservative or a refrigerant for the articles contained in thechamber 41. The cold air is supplied to the chamber 42 through themedium of a valved su ply .pipe 43, which extends from the chamber 26,through the spacin element 10 and into the chamber 42, at the iottomthereof. The pipe 43 is connected, as at 44, to the lower coil of theset of coils 30, and has an air tight connection, as at 45, 46 with thetanks 8 and 9 respectively. distance within the chamber 42 and carries acut-oil valve 47, having a stem 48 projecting through a bearing element49, and furtherprojecting exteriorly ofthe wall 5 of the housin manualoperation of the valve 47 when occasion requlres. The outer end of theelement 49, which is arranged exterior? of the wall 5 of the housing 2,is provide with a stop 51 for limiting the movement of the stem 48.

Connected to the lower coil of the set of coils 49 and projectingoutwardly from the wall 4 of the housing 2, is a cold air supply pipe 52having its outer end provided with a cut-ofi' valve 53, and to thelatter is secured a cold air conducting pipe 54.

The top of the space formed between the tanks 8 and 9 and that betweenthe tanks and the housing 2 are closed by sealing members or strips,termed edge insulation and constructed of material of very lowconductivity preferably rubber. The sealing strips are very thin andformed with flanges. \Vith reference to Fi ure 4 the sealing strip isindicated at 55 and the flanges thereof at 56. With reference to Figure5 the sealing strip is indicated at 55' formed with lateral enlargements55" terminating in flanges 55'. When the form shown in Figure 4 is used,it is mounted in overlapping position, see Figure 1, and when the formshown in Figure 5 is employed it is mounted in the top of the space, seeFigure 3.

Secured to the walls 3 to 6 of the housing 2, at the to thereof, is aframe 57 constructed pre erably of wood, and with each frame membersthereof angle-shaped in 'r'joss section to provide a vertical leg 58 nizontally dis osed leg 59, which extendsin ardly 'at. rig t angles with respect to ,the lower eiid'of the leg 58 thereby provlding 58"., for anouter flan e 56 of a sealinggmembers -Theleg58snug abg tls against t. eouter face of the housing-d:

2, as at 50, to enable the.

The pipe 43 projects a substantial ousing 2 is provided with a pair ofcovers referred to generally by the reference characters 63, 64. Thecover 63 is employed for closing the tank 8, and the cover 64 for thetank 9. The cover 63 is hinged to the frame 57, as at 65, and the cover64 is hinged to the frame 67. as at 66. The cover 63 is of less sizethanthe cover 64, see Figure 1, but as the construction of each of thecovers is the same, but one will be described as the description of onewill apply to the other. Each of the covers consists of an upper section67 and a lower section 68. The section 67 is larger than the section 68,and the latter eirtends into, depends from and is secured to the section68. The section 67 has its lower face formed with a rectangular recess69 of a size greater than the size of that tank with which the covercooperates. The section 67 is constructed preferably of wood, and thesection 68 of metallic material. The section 68 is formed from twoflanged spaced plates to provide a shallow casing 70, having arrangedtherein a spacing element in the form of a grating 71. The casing 70 hasits upper 'face formed with ribs 72, which seat in pockets 73, andengaging with the ribs 72 are hold-fast devices 74, which extend throughthe section 63 and engage in the ribs 72, and by this arrangement thetwo sections of the cover are secured together. The spaces formedbetween the flanges of the plates which provide the shallow cas ings 70have their open ends closed by sealing members or strips See Figure l.

The vacuum chambers formed between the housing and tanks, and betweenthe tanks, as well as those formed by the casings 70 are closed by thethin sealing strips of low conductivity, which as before stated aretermed edge insulation. The sealing strips carried by the housing abutagainst the sealing strips carried by the covers, so that the vacuumspaces or chambers would be continuous, if not separated by these thinseptums or strips and by this arrangement the vacuum is substantiallycontinuous throughout the housing and cover.

\Vhen the covers are mounted in position, they are seated on the frame57 and the flanges of the inner strip carried thereby, and the sections67 of the covers, when these latter are in closure position, seat on thesealing members 55 of the housing 62. Each of the covers is providedwith a normally closed valvular element 75, to which can be attachedsuitable means, such as a pump to form a vacuum in the casing 70.

The wall 3, as well as the wall 76 of the tank 9 which opposes the wall3 of the housing 2. is provided with an opening, and the said openingsoppose each other and are indicated at 80. Mounted in the openings 80 isa flanged casing 81. open at its rear and having its front wall. asindicated at 82, provided with an outlet 83, normally closed by a slide84. The casing 81 opens into the chamber 41 and has arranged therein anelectrically operated suction device 85,

which is connected with and controlled by a switch 86, carried by thehousin 2.

Below the openings 80, the wa l 76 of the tank 9, as well as the wall 3of the housing 2, is provided with an opening, and the said openingsalign and are indicated at 87. Closing the openings 87 is a sight glass88, which is arranged forwardly with respect to a thermometer 89,positioned within the chamber 41. By this arrangement one can readilyascertain the temperature within the chamber 41.

Secured to the wall 76 of the tank 9, as well as the wall 3 of thehousing 2, is a short pipe 90, which has its inner end commune catingwith the chamberAQ and its outer end provided with a cut-off 91. Thepipe 90, when the cut-off is open, is employed for supplying air atatmospheric temperature or hot air into the chamber 42 for increasingthe temperature therein, as well as the temperature in the chamber 41,and when this step is had, the slide 84 is shifted to open the outlet 83and the suction device then operated whereby air at atmospheric pressureor warm air will be drawn through the chambers 41, 42 for the purpose ofincreasing the temperature therein and after the temperature in thechamber 41 has been increased to the desired degree, which can beascertained from the thermometer 89. the cut-off 91 is closed, outlet 83closed and the operation of the suction device 85 discon tinned. Thechamber 26 is provided with a drain 103.

The walls of the housing, as well as the walls of the tanks, when thevacuum is formed, are prevented from collapsing in view of the elements10 to 15 interposed between the tanks and the tanks and the housing, andthis statement also applies to the covers.

It is thought that the many advantages of a cooling system in accordancewith this invention, can be readily understood, and although thepreferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described,yet changes in the details of construction can be had which will fallwithin the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is 1. In a receptacle, a vacuum chamber having one of itswalls formed from an imperforate thin septum of low conductivity andprovidin an insulation, the said wall being materialy less in thicknessthan any one of the other walls of said chamber.

2. In a receptacle, a vacuum chamber having one of its walls formed froman imperforate thin septum of low conductivity and providing aninsulation, the said wall being materially less in thickness than anyone of the other walls of said chamber, and bracing means within saidchamber for the walls thereof.

3. In a. receptacle, abutting elements forming a pair of chambers eachhaving one end open and providing when said end is sealed a vacuumspace, the open end of one chamber opposing the open end of the other,and an imperforate septum of minute thin ness for sealing each of saidends, said septums abutting and with the abutting portion thereof of a.combined thinness to provide for said spaces to be substantiallycontinuous and providing an edge insulation for each of said elements.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature hereto.

WILLIAM C. OLEARY.

4 1,osc,saa

3. In a receptacle, abutting elements thereof of a combined thinness toprovide forming a pair of chambers each having one for said s aces to besubstantially continuous end open and providing when said end is andproviding an edge insulatlon for each sealed a vacuum space, the openend of one of said elements. chamber opposing the open end of the other,In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature and an imperforate septum ofminute thinhereto. ness for sealing each of said ends, said septumsabutting and with the abutting portion WILLIAM C. OLEARY.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,636,322. Granted July 19, 1927, to

WILLIAM C. OLEARY.

It is hereby certified that the above numbered patent was erroneouslyissued to the inventor, said "O'Leary, and one-fourth to Joseph R.Pumphr'ey and onecight to Lucien George Berry", as aasignecs. whereassaid Letters Patent should have been issued to the inventor, said"OLeary, one-fourth of one per cent to Joseph R. Pumphrey and one-eightof one per cent to Lucien George Berry, both of Washington, District ofColumbia," as shown by the records of assignments in this office; andthat the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction thereinthat the same may conform to the record of the case in the PatentOffice. r

Signed and sealed this 19th dag of August, A. D. 1927.

M. J. Moore, Seal. Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,636,322. Granted July 19, 1927, to

WILLIAM C. OLEARY.

[t is hereby certified that the above numbered patent was erroneouslyissued to the inventor, said "OLeary. and one-fourth to Joseph R.Pumphrey and oneeight to Lucien George Berry", as assignees. whereassaid Letters Patent should have been issued to the inventor, said"O'Leary, one-fourth of one per cent to Joseph R. Pumphrey and one-eightof one per cent to Lucien George Berry, both of Washington, District ofColumbia," as shown by the records of assignments in this office; andthat the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction thereinthat the same may conform to the record of the ease in the Patent Offie.

Signed and sealed this 19th day of August, A. D. 1927.

M. J. Moore, Seal. Acting Commissioner of Patents.

